St. Anna the Prophetess

The Bible contains only three sentences about Anna the prophetess, but they are important lines: Luke 2:36-37 tells us Anna was the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. At 84, she was considered “very old,” and had been a widow for many years. She only had seven years with her husband before his passing, and she had lived in the temple as a widow since. Scripture tells us “she never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying” (v. 37).

Scripture also identifies her specifically as a prophet. The original Greek used here is the word prophētis, from the word prophēteia or prophētēs, which mean an interpreter of oracles or other hidden things, those filled with the Spirit of God who receive divine inspiration, especially concerning future events, and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation. Prophētis means simply a “prophetess,” or female prophet — a woman to whom future events or things hidden from others are at times revealed, either by inspiration or by dreams and visions.

Here, we’re told Anna was both diligent and fiercely loyal to God, fasting and praying constantly. When she saw Jesus, the Spirit surely opened her eyes, and she was unable to contain her excitement. She expressed fervent thanks and praise to the Lord and proclaimed the child to all who would hear (v. 38).

A woman wholly dedicated to the Lord, she was rewarded for her great faith with a glimpse of the promised one, the Messiah of Jerusalem. She is remembered on February 3.